FastFlood and the Use of Digital Elevation Models:
FastFlood is a flood simulation tool that uses high-quality Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) such as the Copernicus GLO-30 DEM and the SRTM DEM, along with national datasets like the AHN DEM (Netherlands) and the USNED (United States). These models are essential for calculating the topography of areas and simulating how water flows in flood scenarios. FastFlood provides accurate terrain data, improving the quality and precision of flood simulations in various regions worldwide.
Show moreLand cover data in flood mitigation analyses:
Land cover data is key in flood mitigation analyses using the FastFlood tool. The Manning’s friction coefficient is used to model the soil’s resistance to water flow, and this value depends on the type of land cover, such as forests, urban areas, or agricultural lands. The Copernicus WorldCover 2021 dataset provides accurate information on global land cover, allowing flood simulations to be adjusted based on the type of terrain. Different types of land cover have specific Manning’s n values, which directly impact the water flow speed and the prediction of floods.
Show moreInfiltration Data in Flood Simulationv:
Infiltration is key in flood simulation, as it determines how water filters into the soil rather than becoming surface runoff. FastFlood uses soil property data provided by SoilGrids, a global dataset that employs machine learning methods to map the distribution of soil properties. Infiltration rates are calculated using this data along with pedotransfer functions from Saxton et al. (2006). The system adjusts these rates to higher resolutions to match the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). This allows for the creation of detailed infiltration maps for different regions, improving the accuracy of flood simulations.
Show moreDesign storms:
Design storms are essential for simulating extreme flooding in the system. Using IDF curves and extreme value analysis, the system can model the intensity and frequency of precipitation, enabling accurate flood simulations and assessing the resilience of water infrastructure against extreme climate events.
Show moreFuture climate to model floods:
The future climate module models the impact of climate change on flood risk. Using precipitation projections from the NEX-GDDP dataset and CMIP6 models, the system simulates flood scenarios under different climate conditions, anticipating changes in rainfall intensity and their effects on infrastructure and water security.
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